Repository:
Loyola Marymount University. William H.Hannon Library. Department of Archives and Special Collections.

Los Angeles, California 90045-2659

Abstract: The papers consist of correspondence (letters and postcards) from Thornton Wilder to his friend, Everett W. Gibbs.

Physical location: Collection stored offsite. Research use requires both an advance notice of intent to use the collection and an appointment.
To schedule an appointment, please contact the Department of Archives and Special Collection, William H. Hannon Library, Loyola
Marymount University: 310-338-2780, 310-338-5357.

Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English

Administrative Information

Access

Collection is open to research under the terms of use of the Department of Archives and Special Collections, Loyola Marymount
University.

Publication Rights

Materials in the Department of Archives and Special Collections may be subject to copyright. Unless explicitly stated otherwise,
Loyola Marymount University does not claim ownership of the copyright of any materials in its collections. The user or publisher
must secure permission to publish from the copyright owner. Loyola Marymount University does not assume any responsibility
for infringement of copyright or of publication rights held by the original author or artists or his/her heirs, assigns, or
executors.

Thornton Wilder (1897-1975) was a noted American playwright and novelist.
His plays include Our Town (1938), The Skin of Our Teeth (1942), and
The Matchmaker (1954)--later adapted to film as "Hello, Dolly!". His novels include The Cabala (1926), The Bridge of San Luis
Rey (1927), The Ides of March (1948), The Eighth Day (1967), and others. In his work, Wilder sought out universal values regardless
of the place or time of the setting. As a playwright he was very innovative, discarding props and scenery and making his characters
address the audience directly.

Scope and Content of Collection

The papers consist of correspondence from Thornton Wilder to his friend, Everett W. Gibbs (Loyola University, class of 1950).
The letters and postcards of the collection, thirty-nine items in all, contain friendly criticism of Gibbs' writing, advice
on his writing career, reflections on literature and the art of writing, and general news on various subjects. All of the
correspondence is incoming from Wilder to Gibbs, except for the items in folder 4, a letter of recommendation for Gibbs from
the director of Fullerton Junior College, and in folder 11, a change of address postcard from Isabel Wilder to Gibbs.

Arrangement

The thirty-nine items of correspondence in this collection are arranged chronologically, from the oldest piece of correspondence
(October 15, 1953) to the most recent (September 24, 1973).

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects

Wilder, Thornton, 1897-1975--Correspondence

Gibbs, Everett W.--Correspondence

Authors, American--20th Century

Folder List

box 1 : 1

Wilder writes of taking a trip to Europe. He comments on Shakespeare's frequent use of printing as a metaphor for sexual relations
and suggests "Sexual Imagery in William Shakespeare" as a title for a thesis that Gibbs is writing. Date taken from postmark.
October 15, 1959

Wilder complains about the heat where he is staying. Sends more
examples of sexual imagery in William Shakespeare. In Twelfth Night Act II Scene IV and in King Lear Act IV Scene VI. Wilder
also states that he is planning to look through Much Ado About Nothing and As You Like It.
January 1, 1960

Wilder comments on the news that Gibbs has been dismissed from his position at Fullerton College.January 19, 1960

box 1 : 6

Wilder talks about an upcoming trip to Naples. Mentions that an American company, with Helen Hayes, will be performing one
of his plays in Europe.
February 26, 1961

box 1 : 7

Wilder apologizes for not writing and explains that he has spent the last six months living like a hermit out in the desert.
He writes that he is thinking of returning to civilization in about a year and that he is interested about how Gibbs's thesis
is coming along.
November 6, 1962

box 1 : 8

Writing from Douglas, Arizona, Wilder complains about having to remain there during the summer, but indicates that the novel
he is writing is going well.
July 9, 1963

box 1 : 9

Sends thank you for birthday congratulations. He thinks that Hemingway is an elegant writer, but dislikes him personally.
Wilder has seen Hello Dolly and enjoyed it. Date taken from postmark.
May 12, 1965

box 1 : 10

Wilder writes about going to his forty-fifth class reunion and a good Italian restaurant in Lenox. He gives suggestions on
writing funny situations for novels.
October 5, 1965

box 1 : 11

Change of address postcard for Thornton Wilder from Isabel Wilder to Everett Gibbs.
November 19, 1965

box 1 : 12

Wilder gives advice on writing humor. Postcard enclosed in an envelope. Date from taken postmark.
November 30, 1965

box 1 : 13

Wilder sends his thanks for a birthday present sent by Gibbs, a Buttercup yellow sweater. Talks about his novel and an inflammation
in his eye.
April 17, 1966

box 1 : 14

Advises Gibbs not to be silent if his feelings are hurt. Indicates that he is on the last lap of his latest novel.
August 7, 1966

box 1 : 15

Wilder complains that the summer was too hot for him. Admits to glamorizing "society" in The Cabala. Encourages Gibbs to stick
with teaching until he gets his doctorate. He tells Gibbs that he will soon be going abroad to Germany.
October, 1966

box 1 : 16

Wilder writes (on postcard) from Switzerland. Says that the sanatorium that Mann depicted in
he Magic Mountain has been turned into a hotel-"Lord be praised."
January 1, 1967

box 1 : 17

Wilder writes, thanking Gibbs for the birthday present he sent. He also says that he is looking foreword to reading Gibbs's
book, wonders what Gibbs wants him to comment on and states that he is becoming more and more anti-social. Date taken from
postmark.
April 22, 1967

box 1 : 18

Wilder writes a short note about his vacation and that Gibbs's book "sounds extraordinary." Date taken from postmark.May 10, 1967

box 1 : 19

Brief comments on Gibbs' writing. Two postcards enclosed in an envelope.
1967

box 1 : 20

Wilder comments on Gibbs' book. He feels that it is well written, but suffers from the author's "intense emotional involvement."
Not publishable in the present market.
May 22, 1967

box 1 : 21

Wilder responds to Gibbs' reaction to his comments on his book (Forty Days).
He writes: "I feel fine about your letter." Date taken from postmark.
June 5, 1967

box 1 : 22

Wilder complains about his eyesight. He admonishes Gibbs for being too sensitive about his comments on his writing.June 25, 1967

box 1 : 23

Wilder thanks Gibbs for his praise of his birthplace. Agog at learning that the
close of The Dead is "a steal from Homer." Mentioned a dinner party where alcohol was not served, but the guests were offered
pot. Date taken from postmark.
Thursday. July 1967

box 1 : 24

Wilder tells Gibbs to resist any of his suggestions if he feels that he misunderstood things. Compliments Gibbs on catching
a reference in his novel that no one else had.
October 7, 1967

box 1 : 25

Wilder sends a Christmas greeting (on a postcard) and gives Gibbs his temporary address in Paris and tells him to write to
him soon.
December 3, 1967

box 1 : 26

Wilder complains about a TV production in recognition of his seventieth birthday and says that he'll have nothing to do with
it. Tells Gibbs not to get discouraged and to take his book to a publisher.
February 20, 1968

box 1 : 27

Wilder writes that he decided to open his present early because the
package said "Letter Included" and he wanted to read the letter. Praises Gibbs
for the work he did for a Senator and is pleased with youth's involvement in politics.
Easter Monday, 1968

box 1 : 28

Wilder writes from the Canary Islands. He says that the difference between gossip and fiction is little more than a difference
in tone and depth. He goes on to say that his autobiography is half written. He advises Gibbs that if he has lost confidence
in story writing that he should try writing a critical study.
March 24, 1969

box 1 : 29

Wilder writes Gibbs thanking him for the birthday present that he sent. He is delighted to hear that Gibbs is planning to
write during the summer. Some of Wilder's war buddies will be dropping by to visit him and that he'll have to drop everything.
Year taken from postmark.
April 17, 1969

box 1 : 30

Empty envelope.May 12, 1969

box 1 : 31

Wilder writes to Gibbs thanking him for his birthday greetings and for the news of Gibbs' book, 40 Days and 40 Nights. He
hopes Gibbs enjoyed the movie "Alice's Restaurant" despite its sad message. Year taken from postmark.
April 17, 1970

box 1 : 32

Wilder notes the melancholy tone of Gibbs' last letter and tells him that he has spent too much time on his previous book
and needs to move on to other projects.
September 28 or 29, 1970

box 1 : 33

Wilder sends a Christmas greeting to Gibbs. He tells Gibbs that he is happy that he has some appreciative classes and that
it is good he is working on a new book.
December 17, 1970

box 1 : 34

Wilder considers reading fiction as the best way to prompt ideas. He writes that "the Bridge" was partly derived from reading
Fabre on insects. Recommends the movies "My Night with Maude" and "Claire's Knee." Written on a postcard.
April 17, 1971

box 1 : 35

Warns Gibbs to not become brooding and self-centered. Written on postcard.
December 19, 1972

box 1 : 36

Wilder informs Gibbs that he finished his novel a few days earlier. He also tells Gibbs that he can use his name as a reference
any time he wants. He mentions that he won't be able to go abroad this year but he will be going to Martha's Vineyard and
all his mail will be forwarded to him. Written on a postcard.
April 19, 1973

box 1 : 37

Wilder comments about Gibbs's upcoming move to Alaska. Warns him that loneliness might make him depressed, but tells him the
people there are fine folk and will accept him after a year or so. He also asks that Gibbs keep a journal.
June 4, 1973

box 1 : 38

Wilder complains about a slipped disk and going to the hospital. He is happy to hear that Gibbs is getting adjusted and that
he hopes that Gibbs like the book he is sending. Written on a postcard; date taken from postmark.
September 11, 1973

box 1 : 39

Wilder writes about the completion of his latest book and about being hospitalized with a slipped disk. He advises Gibbs on
survival techniques in his new location.
September 24, 1973